Print Edition of The Observer for Thursday, November 29, 2018 by The Observer

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Volume 53, Issue 61 | thursday, november 29, 2018 | ndsmcobserver.com

Bookstores offer ‘uNDefeated’ products Hammes Notre Dame shops carry new merchandise to celebrate undefeated football season By ALEXANDRA MUCK News Writer

Notre Dame fans celebrated Saturday night when the football team beat USC, earning the team an undefeated season. The next day, a T-shirt was available for purchase in the Hammes Notre Dame Bookstores on campus and Eddy Street, commemorating the season. “We buy it ahead of time, so if we win, we can offer it to fans the next day,” Justin Stecz, the Eck Center store manager, said. “We had it available Sunday morning for anyone who wanted to come in and shop after the game.” W hile the shirt has not yet

sold out, Stecz said over 450 shirts were sold in the two bookstores on Sunday and the shirts have continued to sell. Stecz said the team started to work on the order for the shirts — as well as other merchandise such as a hoodie, gift items and children’s and women’s shirts — at the beginning of November. “Once we got Florida State, we talked about the shirt, and the vendors put together the product lines and [it went] through licensing and approvals, so it’s all sort of been set into place,” he said. After the Syracuse game, which Stecz said was “sort of see BOOKSTORE PAGE 4

KENDRA OSINSKI | The Observer

Hammes Notre Dame Bookstores at the Eck Center and Eddy Street are stocked with gear advertising celebrating the football team’s 12-0 season. The stores have sold over 450 shirts since beginning sales.

Support group to ND students to participate help those coping in ‘Dressember’ campaign with recent loss By CATE VON DOHLEN

News Writer

By CLAIRE RAFFORD News Writer

For many in the Notre Dame community, the holiday season is a joyful time of year and something to look forward to during the stress of finals. However, for those suffering from the recent loss of a loved one, Christmas, and all that comes with it, can sometimes bring more pain than cheer. To help those experiencing loss during the holiday season, Notre Dame’s Campus Ministry is holding a grief support group called “Home For the Holidays,” Associate director of pastoral care Tami Schmitz said. “The holidays can be particularly tough, especially if it’s the first time [someone is] celebrating without one of their family members,” she said in an email. “The purpose of the session is to

news PAGE 3

remind students they are not alone and to offer some practical suggestions for facing the holidays.” Schmitz said though Campus Ministry offers a variety of grief groups throughout the year, they have never offered this specific session. “We sensed that it was something needed this year,” she said. Though this is the first year “Home for the Holidays” is being offered, Schmitz said Campus Ministry has been helping bereaved students heal for over a decade. “Our grief ministry began about 15 years ago when there was an incoming first-year student whose father was tragically killed a few days before bringing her to Notre Dame,” Schmitz said. “Jerry and Dorene Hammes, who were see HOLIDAYS PAGE 4

Scene PAGE 5

A club fairly new to Notre Dame, the International Justice Mission ND, will participate in Dressember, a larger non-profit campaign to end human trafficking and and help victims. In Dressember, participants wear dresses or ties the thirty-one days of December

and have the option to campaign while they do so. The Dressember kickoff will take place Saturday at 3 p.m. in the Sorin Room of LaFortune Student Center. There will be hot cocoa, free desserts and a photo shoot. Those attending are encouraged to wear a dress or a tie to start Dressember together. Sophomore co-president Malia Marshall will explain

the event and provide an introduction to fundraising. It is not required for participants to fundraise, but if participants choose to do so, each individual will fundraise independently throughout the month. At the end of December, the club will combine all funds raised and send them to see DRESSEMBER PAGE 3

College community hosts madrigal dinners By COLLEEN FISCHER News Writer

Every late November, the lobby of Regina North is transformed back in time. People from departments across campus including the costume shop, the dance department, dining services, the set shop, the music department and the Office

viewpoint PAGE 7

of Campus and Community events join together to create a night of music, magic and storytelling through the Madrigal dinner. Attendees are transported back in time to the Renaissance period for a night of dancing signing and holiday cheer.

helped to do the logistics of the event in addition to selling the tickets and managing how the event operates,” Richard Baxter, the director of campus and community events, said. Though the event is entertaining, it also serves the higher purpose of

“This office has always

see MADRIGALS PAGE 4

nd w basketball PAGE 12

hockey PAGE 12

TODAY

The observer | thursday, november 29, 2018 | ndsmcobserver.com

Question of the Day: ndsmcobserver.com

What is your favorite Disney Channel original movie?

P.O. Box 779, Notre Dame, IN 46556 024 South Dining Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556 Editor-in-Chief Courtney Becker Managing Editor Tobias Hoonhout

Have a question you want answered? Email photo@ndsmcobserver.com

Shane Johnson

Elijah Hager

junior Siegfried Hall

“Mulan.”

“Hercules.”

Emily Barr

Mary Ducaji

junior LeMans Hall

“Freaky Friday.”

“Kim Possible.”

Rachel DaDamio

Madison Ronzone

senior Pasquerilla West Hall

junior Ryan Hall

“Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior.”

“Camp Rock.”

Asst. Managing Editor: Elizabeth Greason Asst. Managing Editor: Lucas Masin-Moyer News Editor: Viewpoint Editor: Sports Editor: Scene Editor: Saint Mary’s Editor: Photo Editor: Graphics Editor: Advertising Manager: Ad Design Manager:

Natalie Weber Mary Freeman Joe Everett Nora McGreevy Jordan Cockrum Ann Curtis Dominique DeMoe Alexandra Pucillo Madison Riehle

Office Manager & General Info

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(574) 631-8839 Policies The Observer is the independent, daily newspaper published in print and online by the students of the University of Notre Dame du Lac, Saint Mary’s College, and Holy Cross College. Editorial content, including advertisements, is not governed by policies of the administration of either institution. The Observer reserves the right to refuse advertisements based on content. The news is reported as accurately and objectively as possible. Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the majority of the Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor, Assistant Managing Editors and department editors. Commentaries, letters and columns present the views of the authors and not necessarily those of The Observer. Viewpoint space is available to all readers. The free expression of all opinions through letters is encouraged. Letters to the Editor must be signed and must include contact information. Questions regarding Observer policies should be directed to Editor-in-Chief Courtney Becker. Post Office Information The Observer (USPS 599 2-4000) is published Monday through Friday except during exam and vacation periods. A subscription to The Observer is $130 for one academic year; $75 for one semester. The Observer is published at: 024 South Dining Hall Notre Dame, IN 46556-0779 Periodical postage paid at Notre Dame and additional mailing offices POSTMASTER Send address corrections to: The Observer P.O. Box 779 024 South Dining hall Notre Dame, IN 46556-077 The Observer is a member of the Associated Press.

Today’s Staff News

Sports

Alexandra Muck Claire Rafford Lucy Lynch

Connor Mulvena Thomas Murphy

Graphics

Scene

Lina Domenella

Ryan Israel

Photo

Viewpoint

Kendra Osinski

Mary Freeman

Corrections The Observer regards itself as a professional publication and strives for the highest standards of journalism at all times. We do, however, recognize that we will make mistakes. If we have made a mistake, please contact us at (574) 631-4541 so we can correct our error.

KENDRA OSINSKI | The Observer

A nativity scene adorns the halls of Coleman-Morse Center. This year, the University’s nativity scences come from Eastern Europe and can be found in Eck Visitors Center, the Morris Inn, Coleman-Morse Center, Main Building rotunda and Geddes Hall.

The next Five days:

Want your event included here? Email news@ndsmcobserver.com

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

Lecture: “Writers in the No-Man’s Land” Jenkins-Nanovic Hall 6:30 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. Talk by Hana Morgenstern.

Cavanaugh Hall Christmas Pageant Cavanaugh Hall 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Crafts and pizza followed by play.

Holiday Gift Auction Robinson Community Learning Center 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. All proceeds support the Robinson Center.

Piano Recital: Kelvin Wu, senior LaBar Recital Hall 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. Works by Bach and Beethoven

The UN Genocide Convention at 70: Historical Origins, Future Challenges C103 Hesburgh Center 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Student Stand-Ups and Humor Artists Legends Club 9 p.m. Live comedy sketches by students.

Handel’s Messiah Leighton Concert Hall 8 p.m. Performance by ND Chorale and Festival Baroque Orchestra.

Christmas Concert: Unchained Melodies Hagerty Café Stage 8 p.m. Christian a capella group performs.

Women’s Basketball vs. UConn (Jimmie V Classic) Purcell Pavilion, Joyce Center 4 p.m.

Talk: “Physician Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia” Eck Visitors Center 5:30 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. Open to the public.

News

ndsmcobserver.com | thursday, november 29, 2018 | The Observer

Choir to perform with famous composer Observer Staff Report

Notre Dame Children’s Choir w ill perform alongside Arturo Sandoval, an “award-w inning jazz trumpeter, pianist and composer,” the Universit y announced in a press release Tuesday. The performance is part of a concert, “Sw inging Christmas w ith the Arturo Sandoval Big Band,” that w ill take place in the Walt Disney Concert Hall at 8 p.m. on Dec. 21. The choir w ill be performing in honor of Sandoval’s new album “Arturo Sandoval’s Christmas at Notre Dame.” The album was recorded in May 2017, according to the release. After receiv ing an honorar y degree in 2016, Sandoval returned to Notre

Dame to record the album. It includes both religious and secular well-know n Christmas songs, including “Silent Night” and “Frost y the Snow man.” Sandoval released the album in October, according to the release, and it has been among the top five spots on the Billboard’s Chart of Jazz A lbums for the last six weeks. The album features the Notre Dame Children’s Choir, the Notre Dame Jazz Ensemble and Sy mphonic Winds. “This album unites a w ide cross-section of the Notre Dame communit y, w ith undergraduate and graduate students, child choristers and professional musicians to create v ibrant renditions of classic Christmas music,” Mark Doerries, director of

the children’s choir, said in the release. Emily Swope, who is pursuing a master’s in voice at Notre Dame, and A lexander Mansour, a senior majoring in music, w ill join the children’s choir on their tour. Mansour arranged seven of the songs on Sandoval’s album, the release said. Funds raised by “Arturo Sandoval’s Christmas at Notre Dame” w ill contribute to the Arturo Sandoval Institute Scholarship at Notre Dame. According to the release, the scholarship “prov ides access, support and inspiration to music students so they may continue their music education w ithout economic worr y.” Recognized around the world as a jazz and classical

musician and composer, Sandoval has earned an Emmy Award, six Billboard awards and 10 Grammy Awards, according to the release. In 2013, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the highest honor for civ ilians in the U.S. Now, he is an emeritus professor at Florida International Universit y, though he continues to travel to teach clinics and perform, according to the release. “Arturo Sandoval’s trumpet raises our spirits and gladdens our hearts as we celebrate Christmas,” Notre Dame President Rev. John I. Jenkins said in the release. “His musical expression of unbridled joy and goodw ill calls us to embrace the love, charit y and reconciliation

at the heart of this blessed season. ‘Arturo Sandoval’s Christmas at Notre Dame’ is sure to become a holiday classic.” The Notre Dame Children’s Choir was founded in 2013, and now includes more than 300 members, whose ages range from 1 to 17. They have toured around the countr y, as well as participated in a TEDx talk, according to the release. Follow ing their performance w ith Sandoval, the children’s choir w ill also offer a concert in Huntington Beach, Calif. Free and open to the public, the concert w ill take place at 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 23. Concert tickets for the performance on Dec. 21 can be purchased at w w w.laphil.com.

Heisman trophy winner donates to University Observer Staff Report

Notre Dame alum and 1964 Heisman Trophy w inner John Huarte and his w ife, Eileen, donated $1 million to the Universit y in order to found “an endow ment for grants-in-aid” for studentathletes, Notre Dame announced in a press release Saturday. Hav ing assisted the Universit y’s Joyce Grantsin-Aid Program for many years, the Huarte’s have donated a total of $1.5 million to athletic scholarships. Jack Swarbrick, Universit y v ice president and director

Dressember Continued from page 1

the Dressember foundation. Dressember then distributes the sum among its several partners, one of which is the International Justice Mission. Donations can be made on the club’s campaign page. Marshall and her co-president, sophomore Ella Wood, started the International Justice Mission ND last Januar y. Wood said the International Justice Mission of ND is one of several campus chapters. “There are three goals: to support IJM through advocacy work, fundraising and prayer,” Wood said.

of athletics, praised the Huarte family for their donation and their involvement in the communit y. “John and Eileen’s gift adds another chapter to their storied legacy at Notre Dame,” Swarbrick said in the release. “John’s accolades as a student-athlete are well-documented and have earned him a rightful place in Notre Dame lore. But it’s the commitment of John and Eileen to their family, their business and other Fighting Irish student-athletes that truly speaks to who they are. We thank them for this tremendous gift, which ensures stories like John and Eileen’s

w ill continue for generations to come.” As a child, John would listen to Notre Dame football games on the radio while working at his father’s citrus farm in Anaheim, Calif., according to the release. He entered the Universit y in 1961, and helped the team achieve a 9-1 record during his senior year. As the result of his performance that season, John became the sixth Notre Dame player to earn the Heisman Trophy. According to the release, John also earned consensus first-team A llAmerica honors and UPI Player of the Year. In 2005,

he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. John said he was inspired to donate to Notre Dame in honor of his role models in the football program. “You can’t pay it back; you can only pay it for ward,” he said in the release. “For me, it goes back to some of the group I learned from, guys from the ‘40’s and ‘50’s. Leon Hart, Johnny Lujack, Johnny Lattner — those guys were great about coming back and being involved w ith the program and setting an example. I always wanted to be like them. It just so happens football was my mainstay.

But all the sports at Notre Dame, from track, to fencing, to baseball, represent the Universit y so well and are deser v ing of support. We felt it was important to help them all.” In the 1965 American Football League draft, he was a second-round selection of the New York Jets, according to the release. He later played professionally for several teams, including the Philadelphia Eagles, Boston Patriots, Kansas Cit y Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears. In 1975, the final year of his career, he played for Memphis of the World Football League.

The Dressember event w ill incorporate all three of these goals, but the main goal is to start a conversation at Notre Dame about sex trafficking but also about human trafficking in general. “The idea is raising awareness and starting conversations because people notice what you’re wearing,” Wood said. “Most people don’t wear dresses or ties ever yday, especially when on a college campus.” The idea of wearing a dress isn’t random. It sy mbolizes femininit y, Marshall said. “It doesn’t seem like a big deal to just wear a dress ever y day,” she said. “It doesn’t seem like you’re making that much of a difference, but the dress is a sy mbol

of using our femininit y to empower other women, and it starts conversations about trafficking that people don’t normally have because it’s not something that’s ver y v isible ever y day, but a dress is a really v isible sy mbol. People start to notice when you’ve been wearing a dress ever y day for a week, and then they ask you about it, and you get to start these conversations.” Wood said the dress represents female dignit y “rather than the degradation of sex trafficking.” Wearing dresses during December in Indiana can seem daunting, but the impact is worth it, Wood said. “Most people don’t realize

that slaver y is an issue at all — it’s something we tend to think of as a historical travest y,” she said. “It’s terrible, and it’s still ongoing today. We need people to realize that they can take steps to help us end it.” Wearing a dress or tie whenever given the choice of what to wear is one step in tack ling the issue. “If I’m uncomfortable being outside in the cold for 10 to 15 minutes, then that is nothing compared to [what] the people we are aiming to help [go through],” Marshall said. At least 20 people are expected to participate in Dressember, but the goal is to have 31 participants — one person wearing a

dress or a tie for ever y day of the month. Both Marshall and Wood said they hope Dressember inspires passion in people to explore the issue of modern-day human trafficking. It should not be forgotten the other 11 months of the year, Marshall said. Ever yone is encouraged to join the challenge. Dressember raises awareness and contributes to a foundation that prevents and helps v ictims of human trafficking, but it requires creativ it y, Marshall said. “It’s also a fashion challenge,” Wood said.

Contact Cate Von Dohlen at cvondoh1@nd.edu

News

The observer | thursday, november 29, 2018 | ndsmcobserver.com

Bookstore Continued from page 1

the last big test,” the orders went in for the products. The only product to be produced, though, was the shirt that was offered in the bookstore on Sunday. W hile the other products were not offered in the store on Sunday, Stecz said they were posted online Saturday night and then went into backorder until the product was actually delivered. He said the products likely started the printing process Sunday and were shipped Monday to arrive in the store Tuesday. “The term is ‘hot-ma rket product,’ so a l l t he vendors li ke Under A rmour a nd Cha mpion a nd RFSJ a nd WinCra f t a l l have a separate prog ra m bui lt in t heir ma nufacturing capacit y for t hese one-t ime t hings,” Stecz sa id. “ … They’re ready to go a nd ca n print t hat stuf f super quick a nd

Madrigals Continued from page 1

fundraising. “The proceeds from the events actually goes to the women’s choir to help fund their women’s choir tour that they do ever y other year,” Ba xter said. A ll of the departments’ work hard to benefit the women’s choir. “The women’s choir starts working in September. They start rehearsing the pieces, and then we start working from October on,” Ba xter said. The Saint Mar y’s event differs from other versions of Madrigal dinners. “It’s a really unusual and unique kind of event,” Ba xter said. Ba xter said that Saint Mar y’s communications professor Susan Ba xter has developed two scripts for the dinner after Nancy Menk said “that she wanted the performance to be a little more reverent.”

Holidays Continued from page 1

avid Notre Dame supporters, were friends with this family and reached out to the [Vice President] for Student Affairs at the time and generously offered to prov ide support for a grief support initiative. That was the catalyst that has allowed us to ser ve so many students over the years.” Schmitz said she hopes the session w ill lead to people gaining tools to make it through holiday

get it turned a round w it hin a day a nd out to t he reta iler w it hin t he day. It’s a ver y fast process t hey have in place.” Stecz said the shirt that was originally sold on Sunday is called a “kill shirt” since the shirts get donated somewhere else if the team loses. They can either be sent back to the vendor or go to another company that w ill recycle them. The process to offer the products can be complicated w ith multiple decisions and multiple parties. “There’s a lot of decisions to be made on how much you purchase, whether you repurchase, the time frames you have to sell the product before people want the next thing, are people going to wait,” Stecz said. “There are a lot of fans who don’t want to jin x it and want to wait [to buy products] … and then there are other fans who want to celebrate ever y step along

the way.” Since Follett ow ns the Notre Dame bookstore, Stecz said the people involved in the decisions range from employees at the store level, to licensing people on campus,

Before Susan Ba xter’s scripts, the stor y telling for the event was secondar y, Richard Ba xter said. “Over t he yea rs [Madriga ls] has involved into a presentat ion t hat is centered on a stor y a nd t hen it has songs t hat t he choir sig ns a nd t he choir k ind of moves t he act ion a long,” he sa id. The scripts follow one traditional family liv ing in Renaissance England. “Susan w rote the first script where the daughter falls in love w ith one of the kitchen people, and of course there is an issue w ith their social status, and the master of the house did not want them to be married, but eventually, they are married in secret. That’s part A,” Richard Ba xter said. “Part B is what we are doing now, where the daughter and the husband have moved away and you see the master and the mistress and the jester coping w ith the master’s dip in faith.” In the past, the love stor y

was performed, but this year, the play being performed is the one after the daughter and husband move away. Like all Christmas stories, Ba xter said it has a happy ending. “The stor y she has put in is really a stor y of faith, and how he recovers his faith and how the Christmas message is rediscovered and enjoyed,” he said. Though the stor y has become an important part of the dinner, there are still many other features. “The evening involves a lot of sacred music,” Ba xter said. “They have a trumpet fanfare, and they have jugglers. That is all part of the festivit y w ith the intent being that you are in a medieval hall prior to Christmas time. … The dance department puts on the dances, and the ancient music ensemble from Anderson Universit y comes dow n and plays the music.” A ll of the work that goes into the production pays off w ith the reaction and dedication of the audience.

“There is a fa mi ly t hat has been coming ever y yea r for t he last four yea rs, a nd t hey bring t heir chi ldren,” Ba x ter sa id. “They pu l led me aside t wo yea rs ago, a nd t hey sa id, ‘As fa r as we a re concerned, Christ mas doesn’t beg in unt i l we come to t his event.’” Ba xter said he enjoys

watching people come to the event. “Watching people come in out of the cold, hang their coats up, sit dow n and be transported back to the middle ages. That’s my favorite part,” he said.

traditions during this difficult time. “We hope those who participate w ill gain some ideas of how to face the holiday season w ithout their loved one,” she said. “We know nothing we say can heal all the wounds and brokenness that death leaves behind. But we can at least be present, listen and offer support as needed.” Despite the fact that ever y person coping w ith the death of a loved one experiences grief differently, Schmitz said she hopes that those who participate can

find some comfort in solidarit y w ith the rest of the group. “The purpose of the session is to remind students they are not alone and to offer some practical suggestions for facing the holidays,” Schmitz said. “We w ill also have a student who lost her brother about a year ago share about the challenges and the support she has experienced these past months. I am hoping those who come know that even though it’s an extremely difficult time, [they] w ill feel supported and know that they can get

through it.” Though nothing can bring back the people who have died, Schmitz said there are some things that may help students to honor their loved ones who have died and cope w ith the loss. “Each person’s ex perience of g rief is dif ferent so t here is no ‘one si ze f its a l l’ a nswer,” she sa id. “But t here a re some t hings t hat may be helpf u l: f ind a way to honor your loved one at t he holiday mea l w it h a prayer, g ive a g if t in t he na me of t he person who died, g ive yourself

permission to slip away a nd do somet hing for you, prepa re t he favorite foods of your loved one a nd sha re a favorite stor y or memor y a re a few ideas.” The “Home for the Holidays” grief support group w ill be meeting Thursday, Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. in 301 of the Coleman-Morse Center. A ll students — undergraduate and graduate — are welcome to attend. Center. A ll students, undergraduate and graduate, are welcome to attend.

Michelle Mehelas | The Observer

Senior linebacker Drue Tranquill looks to defend in Notre Dame’s 24-17 victory over USC on Nov. 24. Notre Dame’s 12-0 record marks its first undefeated season for the Irish since 2012.

to management at Follett. “Because of the magnitude of the store and the brand of Notre Dame, there’s a lot more at stake as opposed to maybe a smaller school that Follett operates,” he said. “

… Notre Dame is a big deal nationally, so there’s a lot of excitement and potential for people to purchase product.” Contact Alexandra Muck at amuck@nd.edu

Photo courtesy of Mary Firtl

SMC students perform in the annual Madrigals production. The production follows the story of a family living in the Middle Ages.

Contact Colleen Fischer at cfischer01@saintmarys.edu

Contact Claire Rafford at crafford@nd.edu

The observer | thursday, november 29, 2018 | ndsmcobserver.com

By KAY BONTEMPO Scene Writer

When I tell people that some of the best empanadas I’ve ever had were in South Bend, just across from Martin’s, they’re inevitably skeptical. Most people don’t think of it as a town with a wide array of ethnic food. But in defense of the Bend, I lived in Manhattan for 18 years without visiting or even seeing a Venezuelan restaurant, and I was introduced to cachapas and arepas right off campus. On the outside, Mango Café is charmingly decorated in vibrant colors, a tropical mural complete with palm trees painted on the facade. On the inside, it’s similarly charming, but once you get a whiff from the kitchen of the slow-cooked pork and hot grilled bread, you’re unlikely to even notice the decor. A friend of mine described eating at Mango as “like eating at grandma’s house … maybe not my grandma,

By ALLY JACKOBOICE Scene Writer

I am by no means a music connoisseur. I stick to the basic chart-hitting pop songs, occasionally stray to a few indie pop songs here and there and even prefer country music above all else. I rarely break this mold I’ve created for myself, other than the infrequent exploration of a randomly generated Spotify playlist. The closest thing to an ’80s-style album I’ve ever listened to is Taylor Swift’s “1989.” To say the least, my music taste is superbly basic and utterly boring in comparison to others. Yet I am more than content remaining loyal to my various playlists loaded with Thomas Rhett, Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande. So when my ears heard the first notes of the Swedish singer Robyn’s comeback album “Honey,” I was far more than skeptical about the musical road I was about to journey down. Robyn rose to fame in 1995 with the release of her first album, titled “Robyn Is Here,” and the fame continued with the releases of her albums “My Truth” in 1999, “Robyn” in 2005 and the “Body Talk” series in 2010. However, after the release of “Body Talk Pt. 2,” Robyn simply fell off the music grid, leaving her fans high and dry for the next eight years. Her music is reminiscent of the ’80s, with its electronic sounds laid over a classic pop style. Most known for her top single, “Dancing On My Own.” Robyn’s lyrics center on love and relationships, and her music is rebellious and unapologetic. She breaks the typical mold for her era and is very successful in doing so,

but a Venezuelan grandma who really knows her way around the spice cabinet.” Authentic, homemade and comforting, that sums up dinner at Mango Café. The biggest standout on the menu is the pabellón, Venezuela’s national dish, which features plantains, black beans, white rice and shredded beef and is topped with a fried egg. Other menu items include many of the same ingredients, but combined in deliciously different ways; the cachapa is a sweet corn pancake topped with layers of soft white Venezuelan cheese and a choice of meat. While Venezuelan cuisine is known for its flavorful beef and pork, vegetarians can enjoy Mango’s fare too, with a meatless version of the pabellón among one of their best options. The menu also features versions of several American classics. Mango’s hamburger is as juicy and flavorful as any diner’s, but incorporates Venezuelan flavors with its toppings of egg, avocado and the restaurant’s signature pink sauce (a combination of ketchup, mayo

and mustard). The meals are affordable, too; the pabellón and other specials ring up at $10.75, and simpler options are even more reasonably priced. For a lighter meal, opt for the arepa, a small grilled sandwich with soft white cheese, fried egg, black beans, plantains and your choice of meat, all stuffed between white cornbased bread. If you somehow have room for dessert, you’re offered a choice between the quesillo, a creamy dessert similar to flan, and the tres leches, a decadent cake named for the “three milks” poured over its base. You can find Mango Café at 1740 South Bend Ave., open 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The restaurant is a student favorite, but is rarely crowded enough to require a wait. Perfect for a friends outing or a first date, one visit to Mango can quickly turn into a tradition.

having earned herself four Grammy Award nominations over the course of her first six albums releases. Her latest album, “Honey,” is no exception to her usual spunk. It carries on the sounds of her previous albums, with an ’80s influence sprinkled uniquely throughout each song. As always, Robyn breaks the mold of a typical pop album, incorporating sounds of past decades in “Honey.” The album is ordered in the sequence in which the songs were written, telling a story of growth as an individual and in a relationship. Each song is a deep dive into her inner emotions and her battles with love. “Missing U” starts off the album strong with an ’80s electronic intro and lyrics reminiscing about a faded relationship. “Missing U” is noticeably the most popular track from the album, receiving over 15 million streams on Spotify and making it the third most streamed song in her catalogue. There is an immediate shift of tone from “Missing U” to “Human Being,” the second song of the album. “Human Being” is noticeably darker and different from the rest and includes a feature from the artist Zhala; although I found it rather unappealing, it still seems to be liked among loyal fans. My personal favorite track and the namesake of the album, “Honey,” does the most justice for the vocal abilities which Robyn possesses. The lyrics include beautiful similes on love, and her voice is smooth and sweet, hitting every note softly and perfectly. Evidently, I am not the only one who finds this particular song captivating, as it comes in at third place for the most streams from this album, with over four million streams. The album as a whole

is a spectacular creation of electronic infused pop hits. Robyn’s alluring vocals laid over such unique beats and rhythms makes for an enjoyable listening experience and a beautiful album as a whole. As I concluded my listening experience of “Honey,” I found myself extremely and pleasantly surprised. With such an excellent voice and unique style, it’s hard to believe that Robyn could ever be viewed as anything less than spectacular. The album found itself in the No. 1 slot on Billboard’s Top Dance/Electronic Albums chart almost immediately following its release, evidencing the talent which Robyn possesses. So to those of you who, like me, lack variety in music taste, don’t be afraid to take a risk and give a quick listen to Robyn’s latest album; you may find yourself pleasantly surprised and your music taste suddenly broadened.

Contact Kay Bontempo at kbontemp@nd.edu

Contact Ally Jackoboice at ajackobo@nd.edu

“Honey” Robyn Label: Konichiwa Records Tracks: “Missing U,” “Honey” If you like: Tove Lo, Charli XCX

LINA DOMENELLA | The Observer

The observer | thursday, november 29, 2018 | ndsmcobserver.com

Inside Column

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Mid-Illinois stream of consciousness Mary Steurer News Writer

Driving through rural Illinois for six hours leaves you with a lot to think about. This time of year, the land is very brown and grey, but also very beautiful. Fields of corn — Is it corn, or grain or something else? — sway in the wind. Clouds barrel along the big sky. The land looks impossibly flat and I can see miles in each direction. By comparison, in Missouri, it’s hilly — which makes for a pretty landscape, but the winding roads make me carsick. Every once in a while, little crops of neighborhoods pop up on the horizon. I take my eyes off the road to watch them go by. They’re surrounded by farmland on every side. So do the people who live there work on the farms? What’s that like? Peaceful, I hope. You know all of your neighbors, and, aside from the rush of the highway, life is quiet. But then again, maybe that’s just me romanticizing it. We stop to get gas in a small town just north of Springfield. I’m reminded of a time this summer when I was driving back from Chicago with my brother. We stopped to get gas in a town not unlike this one. I ran inside to grab a drink. After I checked out, the cashier looked me in the eye and told to me to “drive safe.” I was caught off-guard by the way he said it, I think. Instead of the sort of smiling politeness I’d expected, I heard concern in his voice. Did he think I was driving all by myself? Did that worry him? I think it would be hard, to see people come and go all the time, sometimes traveling late at night in an unfamiliar place. The wind is brisk as I climb back into my car. Just as I’m about to turn back on the highway, curiosity gets the best of me and I flip the car around and drive us deeper into town. The buildings are old, some of them falling apart. Quaint neighborhoods circle the downtown square. My friend says she thinks about living in a town like this sometimes. “Yeah, I’d like to give it a try,” I tell her. “At least for a few years.” The longer we look around, the more I believe it. As we drive away, I feel like I’m leaving something important behind. My heart hurts for a life I’ve never known. Sometimes you see houses by the side of the highway that are all alone. They’re almost always white, with the paint peeling at the edges. Why are they always white? What would it be like to live in a house like that, to grow up there? Picture looking out of your window late at night and staring at the empty land around. I don’t know whether I’d feel at peace or terrifyingly vulnerable. A tumbleweed rolls onto the highway and almost hits my car. I thought that only happened in movies. Contact Mary Steurer ay msteure1@nd.edu The views expressed in this Inside Column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

The rebirth of Stalin We are all caught in the middle. You, you and you and me, too — perhaps especially me, an American-born-Russian caught under the clouds that surround the U.S. and Russia today. Let this piece be an invitation, then, to gain a little perspective. W hat is clear is that the new movie, “The Death of Stalin,” is the latest attempt by Western media to portray Russia in only the most negative light. And yes, that is coming from a Westerner. No doubt my detractors will point to the hateful nature of the characters in the film, and use that as justification for their criticism. Lavrentiy Beria, a sadistic police chief, taken to torturing women, raping young girls, manipulating his “comrades” (the list goes on); Nikita Khrushchev, power-hungr y and sly, letting others take the hit so that he can eventually step for ward and take control; and the one and only Stalin, so ruthless, he’d be apt to have you shot over a bad joke. The movie depicts the Soviet committee as a pool of sharks just gnashing at one another for power. Now, please do not take my critique of the movie to be a defense of the whole regime. And before you accuse me of “cozying up to the Russians,” recognize that my own mother has told me stories of how her grandfather was seized in the middle of the night in the winter of 1937 and sent to work in the Siberian Gulag for the next seventeen years. Of course the Great Purges of the 1930s were hateful. There is not a Russian soul whose family had not been the victim, either directly or tangentially, of search and seizure by Stalinist armies in the ’30s and ’40s, or of Gulag imprisonment in the ’50s and ’60s or of massive population loss from World War II ... There was not a Soviet person unaffected by government brainwashing, stif led living conditions, long food lines or a sense of loss. But does all of this give filmmakers the right to satirize and further demonize Russian histor y and the Russian condition? Especially Western filmmakers? W hy needlessly provoke a nation that has had a long histor y of conf lict with the U.S.? W hy make something already so hateful, so appalling, and so painful — in the rather lucid words of the famous Russian literar y critic V. G. Belinsky — “doubly bad” ?! Would Americans like it if Russians made movies about Japanese internment camps and torture in Guantanamo Bay and drones killing people in the Middle East and the atrocities of Vietnam? Good for Russia for banning this abominable film. Russian people would be better off

forgetting their troubled past for but a brief moment, given that are they still ver y much inundated with reminders of what life was like in the Soviet Union ever y day. Indeed, they would be much better off receiving compassion and encouragement from the West in order to throw off the shack les of Putin’s authoritarianism. Sadly, all they receive, at least from America, is more conf licting opinion: first the butt-kissing from our president, followed by the threat of his sanctions. Politically speaking, how does this movie do anything but incite more confusion in the minds of the American public? A public who, on the one hand, is supposed to feel outrage at Russia for meddling in the presidential election (only the most important democratic process of our nation!). But who, on the other hand, is supposed to let such an event slide, because, well, our president just happens to really admire Putin. A film that so horribly portrays the middle period of Soviet histor y — the ver y period in which Putin grew up — does not help shed light on the current situation. W hat is clear is that this movie creates a new conception of Stalin and the Soviet regime that is completely and wholly unnecessar y. Stalin and his men are reborn in our minds, albeit more hatefully. The subject matter in this movie is far too serious for comedy, let alone satire. The absurdly comical nature of this film is akin to joking about the Holocaust by making light of Hitler’s personality. To my knowledge, the best films about the Nazi Party and W W II (e.g., “Schindler’s List,” “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas”) have done precisely the opposite of making irreverent jokes — they have preser ved the seriousness and somberness of the event and have treated it with respect. Thus if a movie has artistic merit, presents real events in a respectful manner and seeks to preser ve the real stor y in order to have valid political and emotional commentar y, then fine. But if the movie is one big farce that draws attention solely from its shock value, and offers little to no insight or solution for the problem it poses, then throw it out. Armando Iannucci would do well to take the advice of his own movie character, Georg y Malenkov, who, while carr ying the funeral casket of Stalin before public proceedings, mouths off to Khrushchev to “shut up and have some respect.” Alex Lebedev senior Nov. 28

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The observer | thursday, november 29, 2018 | ndsmcobserver.com

Rosie Lucy Collins Madame’s Musings

The only thing my dog was practically good for was replacing our broken doorbell. For as long as I can remember, growing up in my house meant missing visitors, because our doorbell never worked, and for some reason no one fixed it. It was not uncommon to be alerted of someone’s presence by a phone call of someone angrily waiting on our porch. W hen I began begging my parents for a puppy, the idea of this technological function did not even cross my mind, but after getting Rosie when I was 10 years old, it became clear pretty quickly that the days of banging on the door to get our attention were over. W hen other parents would come to pick me up for various sports practices and theater rehearsals in middle school, not only would they not have to knock, they could stay in their cars and wait. Sure enough, from the basement to the attic, a frantic barking could be heard before they even finished pulling in, and I’d know it was time to leave. In high school, my brother and I were always

busy with school, sports and friends, and it was hard to spend any time together as a family. With Rosie, however, we were always forced to be aware of our mom or dad coming home from a long day of work, because there was our faithful hound, leaping with excitement and wagging her tail ridiculously fast before the cars would even turn onto our street. She knew her best friends were coming home, and it was hard for us to resist at least some of the excitement. As they opened the door, they could usually find my brother or I laughing at the dog’s antics, and happy to see them home. As most college students figure out, you miss your dog more than just about anything else when you leave home for the first time, and I was no exception. I lived for visits home, because I knew she would be there, nose pressed against the front window as I pulled up. As an opened the door and was exposed a jumping, scratching and licking beast, my mom would, without fail, mention that she had been getting excited all afternoon, as if she somehow could sense that I was coming home that day. Used to the independence of college, I would go out with high school friends to local bars and hangouts, often at an hour frowned upon by my parents. If I had any ideas of

sneaking in the front door, Rosie would put them to rest with a chorus of barking and howling that woke up the whole house. This August, a week before I left for school, we received shocking news that resulted in us having to say an unexpected goodbye to our beloved friend of 11 years. W hile I was devastated, the fact that I left for school so quickly dulled the blow, as I could just imagine she was still at home. This Thanksgiving was my first time home since summer, the impact of her death really hit me. W hen it came time to go out my first night back, I found myself telling my friends to “text me when they are here,” so I would know to come let them in. 10 years later, back to the silence of a broken doorbell. This is my annual Thanksgiving PSA to appreciate what you have — I am so thankful for my friends, my family and my time with the (irrefutably) best dog on the planet. Lucy Collins is majoring in economics and history, and continues to write despite knowing no one cares what she’s going to say. She can be reached at lcollin8@nd.edu The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

A non-actor’s experience with Show Some Skin Paige Curley Show Some Skin

TI first saw Show Some Skin during my freshman year. It was a powerful performance that I didn’t expect to find at Notre Dame, of all places. I wanted to get involved in some aspect, so I reached out the fall of my sophomore year to the executive producer, who I’d had a class with before, and volunteered to help out. In the midst of me signing up to help organize auditions, I was told I should audition. Coerced is probably too strong a word, but I was definitely strongly encouraged to try it out. There was one catch: I had never acted before. I had never been on a stage before. I am an out-and-proud INFJ and that introversion is very strong, so speaking in front of an audience had never once crossed my mind — except as a cause for anxiety. I conceded a “maybe,” but in my mind I had a firm, resounding “no.” Me? Audition? I had never heard of such mutually exclusive concepts. But then the idea stuck in my head. A small “what if?” had burrowed its way into my mind without my permission, and I found myself considering the prospect, only to shut it down as soon as the thought arose. Wednesday morning, the last day of auditions, I woke up, to my own surprise, with a single thought: “I’m going to do it.” I told only one other person of my plan, in order to save myself from the later embarrassment of having to tell my friends and family that I didn’t get it. I didn’t see this as auditioning to perform, but rather an exercise in pushing myself out of my comfort zone. That had been my resolution when I entered college, and this was just one more way to take a jump off the deep end. I would audition to say I once auditioned for something, and then I would go on my way. I entered a very warm Geddes Hall that very cold evening, and descended the steps to the auditorium in the basement. I signed in, got my packet of monologues, and anxiously waited as names were called. Despite the fact that I’d framed this in my mind as something that wasn’t going to continue past that one day, I was shaking with nerves. My name was called and I unsteadily walked into the auditorium. Like I said before, I had never been on a stage before, not even a small one like the one in Geddes. I didn’t know that when you’re on a stage, the lights

are so blinding you can’t see anyone in the audience and so hot that the temperature will feel like 99 degrees. I didn’t know what to do with my hands. I wish I could say this audition was the most powerful moment of my life. In all honesty, it was over in what felt like six seconds. I vaguely remember hearing a voice that didn’t sound like mine and, suddenly, my shaky legs were leading me out the doors. I felt elated, shaken, in disbelief and mentally drained. I paused before sending out text messages to my mom and my friends. I had told myself I wouldn’t tell anyone unless I got the part — and there was no way I would actually get the part — so I remained silent. Two long days passed by as I tried to shift the experience into the part of my brain labeled “that was fun, but never again!” I did something way outside of my comfort zone that was healthy self-growth — and enough for me. Unfortunately, I hadn’t actually prepared myself for what to do when I received an email with the subject line “Congratulations!” later that week. Acting in Show Some Skin was never part of my plan. I got as far as imagining an audition and stopped planning for anything beyond that. The real, and unexpected, step out of my comfort zone was actually rehearsing a monologue for six weeks and performing it three nights in a row in a show that sold out tickets in just a few hours. I should clarify: I am not an actor. I never was and likely will never perform in anything ever again. But that’s not what Show Some Skin looks for. Yes, we had incredibly talented actors who have spent their whole lives on a stage. We had FTT majors and people whose worlds were centered on theater. We had people who did debate club in high school or who enjoyed giving speeches. And we also had people, like me, who had never performed anything before but felt moved by the mission of Show Some Skin. When you audition for Show Some Skin, you’re not looking to be an actor but a storyteller. We often say that our show would not exist without the trust and courage of those who submit their stories to be shared. This is true: we are forever indebted to their vulnerability. But our show would also not be what it is without the people who breathe life into these stories, who take on identities that don’t necessarily match their own, in order to stretch the audience’s capacity for empathy. As an actor, you do more than shift words from paper to stage; you undergo an emotional, transformative experience as you work

to understand the story behind your monologue. You partake in meaningful, relevant, and powerful conversations with your fellow actors about things we so often push under the rug. You learn about race, gender, sexuality, mental health, class and so many more of the experiences that those around you face. You stay up late at night as the words sink into your memory, and you think, cry, laugh and strive to do justice to the story entrusted to you. You become a conduit, lending your voice to share the experience of someone who often feels alone, invisible and vulnerable on our campus. Again, I am not an actor. But I am a person who was honored to do my small part in providing a platform for the too-often voiceless. Show Some Skin is more than a show, it is an experience that leaves everyone, from actor to audience, changed in unexpected ways. If you have ever had the desire to do something outside of your comfort zone, if you have ever wished for a chance to be a part of something larger than yourself, if you have ever felt that our campus needs more diverse voices heard, then I encourage you to consider auditioning for Show Some Skin this year. You have nothing to lose, and only beautiful things to gain. The first night of auditions may be over. But there are still two more opportunities. Auditions are held in the Andrew’s Auditorium of Geddes Hall. Thursday November 29, 6:00-8:30 pm Saturday December 1, 12:00-2:30 pm We are looking for everybody and anybody to audition. No prior acting experience is necessary. Four to five monologues will be provided to you. You will then have an opportunity to read over them and select one. The audition will be a reading of the monologue in front of the production team. There is no preparation necessary. Even if slots are full, you are more than welcome and encouraged to walk in. Let us know here. Paige Curley can be reached at pcurley@nd.edu Show Some Skin is a student-run initiative committed to giving voice to unspoken narratives about identity and difference. Using the art of storytelling as a catalyst for positive social change across campus, we seek to make Notre Dame a more open and welcoming place for all. If you are interested in breaking the silence and getting involved with Show Some Skin, email tcarter8@nd.edu The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

DAILY

The observer | thursday, november 29, 2018 | ndsmcobserver.com

Crossword | Will Shortz

Horoscope | Eugenia Last Happy Birthday: Keep your emotions in check this year. Someone will take advantage of your vulnerability if you are too open about the way you feel or what you plan to do. Secrets must be kept, and poor habits eradicated. Living within your means and by the rules and regulations set by authority figures will be necessary. Emotional manipulation is apparent. Your numbers are 3, 14, 25, 29, 32, 38, 46. ARIES (March 21-April 19): Money, legal and medical issues may be misleading or cause uncertainty. Don’t leave anything to chance, and handle such matters personally. An impulsive purchase will disappoint you. Ask for a second opinion before you make a physical change to your appearance. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Get in touch with an old friend or reconnect with people you worked with in the past. The information you receive from themwill help point you in a direction that allows you to use your skills in new ways. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Do things right the first time. Paying close attention to details and following instructions will help you save time and money. A change to the way you look or what you do will turn out better than anticipated. CANCER (June 21-July 22): You don’t have to look for an excuse to make a change. It’s OK to be different and to do your own thing. Take care of your responsibilities personally. Someone unique will offer an interesting point of view. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Too much of anything will set you back. Distance yourself from anyone who tends to be indulgent or pushes you to take part in things you can’t afford or don’t want to do. Use your wisdom to get your way. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): If you share your feelings, someone will overreact or misinterpret what you have to say. Be a good listener; you will discover a good way to introduce what you would like to see happen. Truth and loyalty are essential. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Listen and learn. Look for alternative ways to make personal changes that will lower your overhead and ease your stress. Talking to an expert will give you some ideas that will help you bring in more cash. Romance is on the rise. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Get together with people you know you can trust. Someone from your past will create a problem for you if you let him or her back into your life. Stick to what works, and don’t feel you owe anyone anything. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): The less information you offer others, the better. Someone will misinterpret what you say or offer you false information. Stay focused on your chores and responsibilities, and leave nothing to chance if you want to avoid having to backtrack. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): An emotional situation will arise if an old debt isn’t paid off. Joint ventures should not be trusted. You are best to handle negotiations personally. Don’t let an unexpected change someone makes throw you off guard. Protect your assets.. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Sum up what you’d like to be doing, and head in that direction. Refuse to let someone deter you from following your heart and doing what you enjoy doing most. Open communication will help ward off problems later on. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Arguments will be a waste of time. You’ll end up in a stalemate that can damage a relationship you have with a good friend or relative. Don’t take a risk — emotionally or financially. Patience will be required. Birthday Baby: You are self-assured, fun-loving and sensitive. You are creative and unique.

WINGin’ it | OLIVIA WANG & BAILEE EGAN

Sudoku | The Mepham Group

Jumble | David Hoyt and Jeff knurek

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SPORTS

ndsmcobserver.com | thursday, november 29, 2018 | The Observer

Sports Authority

nba | 76ers 117, knicks 91

Be careful before criticizing WNBA Courtney Becker Editor-in-Chief

With the WNBA season over and the NBA in full swing, people might have stopped thinking about women’s basketball at this point in the year (cue the commenter claiming no one ever thinks about women’s basketball). But hey, the time is always ripe for a women’s basketball Sports Authority, especially with the start of college basketball. On Wednesday, Associate Sports Editor Charlotte Edmonds wrote a column in which she acknowledged that “Women’s basketball has long been ridiculed by sports fans for lacking competition and employing offensive schemes that settle for 3-pointers.” While this is an accurate statement, I disagree with Charlotte’s belief that “these are fair criticisms” of the game. Let’s start with the second criticism first. Is the fact that women’s basketball teams often “[employ] offensive schemes that settle for 3-pointers” really a bad thing? Fans of the Golden State Warriors would most likely say no. By employing a 3-pointer-heavy offense, the Warriors have won three of the last four NBA titles. Golden State’s star, guard Steph Curry, is one of the best 3-point shooters in the history of the league, and he’s also one of its most popular players. Golden State’s dominance over the league with an offense that largely relies on 3-pointers hasn’t hurt NBA viewership, and it might just foreshadow the future of basketball. As Marshall’s men’s basketball coach Dan D’Antoni explained in a 2016 postgame presser, 3-point shots are second only to open layups in terms of value. Analytically, there is no reason to believe offenses are “settling” when they favor 3-pointers over mid-range jumpers or contested layups. Using Golden State as an example also proves that one team’s dominance in a league is a poor criticism of women’s basketball. The Warriors not only lost one of the past four NBA Finals to the Cavaliers, but they also beat Cleveland in the three they won. If NBA fans have been content to watch the same two teams make it to the finals every season for four years in a row, how is it fair to write off women’s college basketball just because UConn is consistently in the hunt for a title? Charlotte is right in pointing out that only 15 schools have national championships, with UConn owning 11 of those titles, but to say that women’s basketball is not currently competitive by looking “no further than last year’s Final Four, where all four teams were the top seed in their respective

regions,” is a misrepresentation of the 2018 NCAAW Tournament and the current women’s college basketball landscape. Both games of the 2018 Final Four went into overtime, marking it as the first Final Four in NCAA history in which that phenomenon occurred. The championship was decided by a last-second buzzer-beater, and would have gone into overtime as well had that shot not gone in. Not to mention that 2018 marked the second year in a row in which UConn — the team women’s basketball critics consistently say will “win anyway” — was knocked out before the national championship. Additionally, while going into the WNBA is certainly not as lucrative or reliable career as the NBA is (that’s a whole other story), the idea that “athletes often elect to attend prestigious schools with tight alumni networks, setting themselves up for other opportunities beyond basketball, leaving mid-tier programs on the outside of the elite recruiting scene looking in” overlooks some major forces in women’s college basketball. Schools like Notre Dame and Stanford very likely benefit from prestigious university reputations, strong academics and useful alumni networks in recruiting, but famous powerhouses like Tennessee, Baylor, Maryland, South Carolina and, yes, UConn cannot boast the same advantages outside their basketball programs. Nor can rising programs such as Texas A&M and Oregon. Limiting schools’ women’s basketball programs based on their overall reputations as universities is unfair and unwise. It’s a coach that builds and defines a program, and the emergence of great coaches beyond Pat Summitt, Geno Auriemma and Muffet McGraw has created ample “room for Cinderella stories” in recent years. In 2016, 2-seed Oregon State, 4-seed Syracuse and 7-seed Washington all made their first Final Four in the same year. Last season, second-seeded Oregon was a win away from making its first Final Four. And the past two upsets of UConn have also resulted in two ESPY wins — Best Upset for Mississippi State in 2017 and Best Play for Irish senior guard Arike Ogunbowale in 2018. Until we make more progress toward equality as a society, sports fans will continue to criticize women’s basketball for everything from a lack of parity to a lack of dunking. But let’s be sure to take a good look at whether those criticisms are truly fair. Contact Courtney Becker at cbecker3@nd.edu The views expressed in this Sports Authority are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

Embiid’s double-double powers 76ers past Knicks Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA — Joel Embiid once had to spike his dad’s wish for him to become a volleyball player. With his father making a rare trip to Philly, Embiid showed once again he was wise to ditch digs for dunks. Embiid put on a show with his father in the stands for the first time this season, collecting 26 points and 14 rebounds while leading the Philadelphia 76ers to a 117-91 win over the New York Knicks on Wednesday night. “Embiid was doing some damage in the post,” Knicks rookie Kevin Knox said. Embiid’s spin move into a one-handed jam earned a smile and applause from Thomas Embiid, a colonel in the Cameroon military who is visiting from the family’s home country and plans to spend a few weeks with his MVP candidate son. Growing up, Embiid had to convince his father that basketball wasn’t a dangerous game and he didn’t have

to abide by Thomas’ wishes of becoming an elite volleyball player. Embiid was aces against the Knicks. The 7-footer had 17 points, seven rebounds and six assists in the first half alone. He finished with his NBA-best 21st double-double and helped the Sixers improve to 11-1 at home. He didn’t stick around to offer his usual quips and one-liners to the media — Embiid split to catch up with his family. Philly’s last home game was a rare disaster, a 121-112 loss to woeful Cleveland on Friday. Coach Brett Brown said the Sixers didn’t play with spirit against the Cavs. They played with purpose against the roadweary Knicks. JJ Redick hit four 3s and scored 24 points and Ben Simmons had 14 points. Jimmy Butler hit a 3 in the third to make it 86-58 and give the Sixers a KO victory with former middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins sitting courtside. Redick made 10 of 14 shots and hit the 20-point mark for

the third time in five games. “I always feel like when I shoot the ball it’s going to go in, but there’s a different feeling I think when you haven’t missed and you’ve taken a few shots and you just keep seeing the ball go in,” he said. “It certainly increases the dopamine levels in your brain.” Enes Kanter and Mario Hezonja each scored 17 points for New York. The Knicks have played nine of 12 games on the road and were coming off a 115108 loss to Detroit on Tuesday. “We didn’t have an answer for any of them,” Knicks coach David Fizdale said. “That was a focused team, they came out with really good focus. We just got blitzed and we really didn’t have an answer for anything they did.” Embiid had his 18th game of the season with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds and could have grabbed a seat with his father and chilled out in the fourth. The Sixers emptied the bench as the lead stretched to 31 points and won for the sixth time in seven games.

NCAA men’s basketball | virginia 76, maryland 71

Guy scores 18, leads Virginia over Maryland Associated Press

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Kyle Guy scored 18 points and No. 4 Virginia combined effective outside shooting with its usual stout defense to slip past 24th-ranked Maryland 76-71 Wednesday night in the ACC/ Big Ten Challenge. The Cavaliers (7-0) blew most of a 17-point lead before making six free throws in the final 37 seconds to hand Maryland its first loss. Ty Jerome scored 17 and De’Andre Hunter had 15 for Virginia, which improved to 121-35 in nonconference games under coach Tony Bennett. Guy nailed five 3-pointers and the Cavaliers went 10 for 22 beyond the arc. Virginia committed only two turnovers and had assists on 15 of its 28 baskets. Bruno Fernando had 14 points and 11 rebounds, and Anthony Cowan Jr. scored 15 for the Terrapins (6-1). After trailing 48-31 with 16:29 left, Maryland closed to 63-59 before Jerome popped a 3-pointer

and Jack Salt added a dunk to quell the comeback. The Terrapins committed 14 turnovers, went 7 for 17 from 3-point range and finished well below their scoring average of 84.8 points per game. But they shot 54 percent and became the first team this season to break the 60-point barrier against the Cavaliers. Maryland and Virginia first met in the 1912-13 season and were both members of the ACC before the Terrapins joined the Big Ten in 2014. The Cavaliers trail in the series 107-76 but have won eight of the last nine. It was Virginia’s second straight victory over a Big Ten team. The Cavaliers defeated Wisconsin last week to win the Battle 4 Atlantis. Guy scored 15 points and accounted for four of Virginia’s eight 3-pointers in a first half that ended with the Cavaliers up 39-30. Maryland made only one less basket than Virginia and held a 19-11 rebounding edge, but the Cavaliers’ 8-for-16 shooting

beyond the arc made all the difference. Also worth noting: Virginia had 11 assists and only one turnover through the first 20 minutes.

Big Picture Virginia: The Cavaliers played their usual brand of suffocating defense and added an outside shooting touch to knock off a ranked team and solidify their stature in the top 5. Maryland: If this game was held later in the season, perhaps the young Terrapins would have fared better. At this point, however, they’re just not mature or good enough to compete against a talented squad with a tenacious defense.

Up Next Virginia plays a Marylandbased team for the fourth time this season, hosting Morgan State on Monday night. Maryland opens Big Ten play Saturday against Penn State, the last of six straight home games for the Terps.

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Sports

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Hockey Continued from page 12

26 points planted him at fourth among his Irish teammates. His improved efficiency and .141 shot percentage over 38 games helped guide the Irish to a Big Ten championship in only their first season in the conference. Now, only 13 games into his junior campaign, Burke

has racked up a team-high 15 points and eight goals, perhaps none more important than his overtime winner on Tuesday. His productivity is the result of more efficient play as Burke’s shot percentage sits at .182, over four times greater than that of his freshman year. “Hockey can be really frustrating if you look at it a certain way. So often the goals you score are just weird bounces and there’s nothing you can do

about it,” Burke said. Burke has played a significant part in the last two Irish campaigns, helping Notre Dame reach back-to-back Frozen Four appearances, including a national championship appearance last season. Along the way, he has played in at least 35 games each season, maintaining a firm grasp on playing time. This year, Burke is a staple in the Irish lineup, appearing in

all 13 games for Notre Dame. He leads the team in a number of statistical categories, including goals, assists and shots. He has transitioned from his role as a rotation player his freshman year to the focal point of the offense as a junior. Burke said he hopes to be an example of that confidence as a playmaker and leader of this Irish team. “In order to score I try to do

the right things. Follow the playbook and systems that coach sets up, work hard in the defensive zone and try to translate that to offense,” Burke said. “Tonight, I wasn’t even touching the puck before my goal … Rarely you score a goal where it’s an individual effort, so my teammates helps me a lot.” Contact Ryan Kolakowski at rkolakow@nd.edu

KENDRA OSINSKI | The Observer

Irish junior forward Cal Burke, center, attempts a wrist shot during Notre Dame’s 3-1 defeat to Minnesota Duluth on Oct. 27 at Compton Family Ice Arena. Burke, who was named an alternate captain, has become an offensive leader despite a slow start to his college career. Burke leads the team in several offensive categories, including goals, assists and shots.

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each other as people,” he said. “[The new coaches’] training philosophies probably aren’t drastically different from the athletes’ previous training situations. It’s just different people leading the charge and what their coaching cues are.” After Friday’s meet, the Irish won’t compete again until Jan. 12, when they travel to the annual Gene Edmonds Open at Purdue. Sparks said he hopes this break between meets will motivate his athletes to keep working hard on improving. “I feel like this week is, in some ways, a bit of an exhibition for everyone to see what their situation is in terms of how their fitness grew in the fall,” Sparks said. “And then hopefully [that will] motivate them to train for the next six weeks while they’re working through finals and away for Christmas break. It’ll be a chance for them to hopefully motivate themselves by their competitive situation this weekend to keep working hard while they step away a little bit during Christmas break.” The Blue & Gold Invitational starts at 4 p.m. EMMA FARNAN | The Observer

Contact Charlie Ortega Guifarro at cortegag@nd.edu

Irish senior middle distance runner Kelly Hart runs the 800-meter race during the Meyo Invitational at Loftus Sports Center on Feb. 8.

EMMA FARNAN | The Observer

Irish sophomore distance runner Yared Nuguse finishes his race during the Meyo Invitational on Feb. 3 at Loftus Sports Center.

Sports

ndsmcobserver.com | thursday, november 29, 2018 | The Observer

W Bball Continued from page 12

MICHELLE MEHELAS | The Observer

Irish senior guard Marina Mabrey dribbles up the court during Notre Dame’s 84-74 Elite Eight victory over Oregon on March 26. Mabrey played on Saturday after missing the first five games this year with an injury. Paid Advertisement

“We have so many top matchups” Irish head coach Muffett McGraw remarked. “We’re playing a lot of top teams, so we have to be ready every single game. Iowa’s a really good team and I know that we’re very focused on that.” McGraw has been effective in passing her focus-on-a-singlegame mentality on to her players too — “We just take it one game at a time,” junior guard Jackie Young remarked. Senior guard Arike Ogunbowale echoed Young’s attitude. “Just taking it day by day. I think that’s what we’re best at and we don’t really, you know, look forward to the future. We just try to focus on each game because everybody’s going to give us their best game. So we definitely have to be prepared every night,” Ogunbowale said. The Irish are coming off the Vancouver Showcase, where they bested Gonzaga, No. 24 Drake and No. 9 Oregon State in a three-day tournament to nab first place. But after winning the first two matchups easily, Notre Dame struggled in the final game, playing from behind for the first three quarters. “We started out the Oregon State game poorly on defense.” McGraw said. “We gave them a lot of really open shots — our transition defense has been a problem for us. And then just figuring things out offensively, you know, how are they guarding us, what’s open, what’s available. So I think it’s taken a little more time than I would like for us to really get to where we look sharp and I don’t think we’ve had that game yet.” The Irish will look to find their stride tonight against the Hawks, but the game won’t be an easy one. Iowa is anchored by Megan Gustafson, a senior forward and the Hawk’s leading scorer with 116 points on the season, so Notre Dame will certainly have their work cut out for them, especially down low. “She’s an All-American. I think she’s a terrific post player. Probably the best we’ve seen so far.” McGraw said. “She’s somebody that is shooting I think close to 80 percent from the field, which is phenomenal. She can score — if she gets the ball, she’s going to score. So we’ve got to try to figure out — can we prevent her from getting in and if she gets it, what can we do to stop her? And so far, nobody’s been able to do it.” But the Irish defense has been effective so far this season, allowing an average of 66.7 points per game while scoring 88.8 points per game. An effective contributor to this Irish defense will undoubtedly be senior guard Marina Mabrey, who made her season debut against Oregon State after being sidelined for the first five games with an injury. Despite only

playing 19 minutes, Mabrey notched nine points and two assists, accompanied by a steal and a rebound. “It’s so great to have Marina Mabrey back.” McGraw said. “I mean that was just amazing that she made such an impact in the game just in time that she was allowed to play. I thought she brought us great energy and just having another guard that can shoot a three is what we’ve really been lacking.” Ogunbowale was also excited to see her classmate back on the court. “She’s a veteran. She’s helped us win a national championship, helped us throughout these three years and to have her back, her experience at the point guard position, it really calmed everybody down.” Ogunbowale noted. “I would have like to have been back earlier,” Mabrey said. “But… we knew that wasn’t really something that’s realistic, so being able to be back for this stretch is exciting. It was fun … being able to just be out there for even half the game was just something I’ve missed.” McGraw said she will play Mabrey as much as possible from this point forward, according to medical recommendations. “I think the doctors are giving us a number of minutes that she can play in the quarter and that’s what we’re trying to stick to,” she said On her return to the court, Mabrey added, “I think it’s going to be a few weeks before I look like my normal self out there, but just trusting the process and playing through it, getting better with my cardio and stuff like that. That’s really what I’m concentrated on and just trying to help the team as much as I can while I’m in there for these next couple of games.” While Mabrey has recovered, McGraw has turned to her underclassmen to contribute. “I think that was probably the best thing about the tournament, was seeing the contribution from different people.” McGraw said. “You saw [freshman guard] Abby Prohaska and [sophomore forward] Danielle Patterson up top, having the best game of the season. And then you saw [freshman guard] Katlyn Gilbert really come alive in the tournament at Oregon State … I think there’s still a pretty big gap between the bench and the starters, I mean talking about five WNBA players and a lot of freshmen … [but] we know we can count on them.” Ogunbawale said she and her teammates try to help prepare the younger players in any ways that they can. “I mean they probably have a lot of nerves, you know, going into these games, but just trying to calm them down … [we] try to give them guidance,” she said. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. Contact Ellen Geyer at egeyer1@nd.edu

The observer | thursday, november 29, 2018 | ndsmcobserver.com

Hockey

Burke hopes to continue breakout season By RYAN KOLAKOWSKI Sports Writer

The Irish failed to convert on their first six power plays of the night on Tuesday. Despite multiple scoring chances, Notre Dame (8-4-1, 4-2 Big Ten) was lured into a sudden death overtime period against the Northern Michigan Wildcats. In the seventh extra-man opportunity for the Irish, senior forward Dylan Malmquist fired a shot that ricocheted off junior forward Cam Morrison. Junior forward Cal Burke, loitering near the Wildcats’ goal line, corralled a rebound and flicked the puck into the back of the net to give the Irish a 2-1 victory. Burke, who had five shots on goal in regulation and seemed to be around the opposing crease all night, had the opportunity to shut the door on Northern Michigan. With his golden goal, all the power play woes evaporated, and the Irish could catch their breath at Compton Family Ice Arena. “We had so many chances. I mean, it was a little frustrating, but at least we got one in

the end,” Burke said. “You can’t get too frustrated when you’re getting the chances because it’s when you’re not getting chances that you have to worry a bit … it just happened to pop out in the slot where I was, so it was just a good bounce for us.” Hailing from Foxborough, Massachusetts, Burke joined the Irish in 2016 after competing with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, a junior ice hockey team in the United States Hockey League. Burke was a premier playmaker in the USHL, racking up 39 points in 56 games in his final season with the RoughRiders, but that success took time to transition to Notre Dame. In his first season with the Irish, Burke collected 11 points, including only three goals, in 35 games at the Division I level. Burke initially struggled to turn scoring opportunities into points, shooting at a .043 clip (4.3 percent) on 69 shots. In his sophomore season a year ago, Burke ranked second on the team with 14 goals. His see HOCKEY PAGE 10

ANN CURTIS | The Observer

Irish junior forward Cal Burke skates down the ice during Notre Dame’s 1-0 loss against Ohio State on Nov. 2 at Compton Family Ice Arena. Burke has a team-high 15 points and eight goals this season.

nd track & Field

nd Women’s basketball

Notre Dame looks to stay perfect against Iowa By ELLEN GEYER

By CHARLIE ORTEGA GUIFARRO

Sports Writer

Brian Kelly’s football team isn’t the only Notre Dame squad with an undefeated record. The Notre Dame women’s basketball team has been defending their national championship title in style, boasting a 6-0 record to begin its season. The Irish haven’t lost a regular season game since Jan. 11, when they lost to the Louisville Cardinals in Kentucky. But Notre Dame will certainly have their hands full this week as it looks to remain perfect against No. 14 Iowa tonight in Purcell Pavilion. The matchup against the Hawks will be a part of the ACC/B1G Challenge, and it marks Notre Dame’s third top-15 matchup of the season so far. Although the Irish will move on to face the formidable No. 2 UConn Huskies this Sunday after their matchup against the Hawkeyes (4-1), they will remain focused on the game in front of them. see W BBALL PAGE 11

ND to host meet to open season Sports Writer

Michelle mehelas | The Observer

Irish junior guard Jackie Young scans the court during Notre Dame’s 84-74 win over Orgeon on March 26 in Spokane, Wash.

The Irish will host their annual Blue & Gold Invitational on Friday afternoon in an early warmup meet before the season gets in full swing in January. Notre Dame will host the likes of Bethel, DePaul, Detroit Mercy, Marquette and Valparaiso. Loftus Sports Center will be the site of a 20-event meet that starts with the long jump and ends with the 4×400 meter relay. The first running event will begin at 6 p.m. with the women’s 60-meter hurdles preliminary race. Irish head coach Matt Sparks, in his first year in the position and fifth as a coach at Notre Dame, said the Blue & Gold Invitational is a great event to test the fitness of the athletes. In addition, the event will serve as a barometer of the progress that the new coaching staff has made with the athletes. The new coaching staff includes Kendra Foley, Wayne

Pate and Rodney Zuyderwyk, who work as the assistant coaches for men’s distance, women’s distance and jumps, respectively. Volunteer assistant coach Cole Hester is also in his first season with the Irish. “This is a good chance for the new coaching staff to get to know the athletes in a competitive situation and for the athletes themselves, to see the benefits of a long-haul conditioning period,” Sparks said. “They’ve been training for the last three or four months, just competing with each other in practice. This is a chance for them to actually get out and compete against someone in a different jersey versus working against your teammates every day like they have in the past three or four months.” Sparks said the meet will showcase the coaches’ hard work over the last few months. “These coaches and athletes have had three or four months now to get to know see TRACK PAGE 10